Louis Legrand was at the center of the La Belle Époque as the 19th century came to its conclusion.
It was a time of enormous creativity; Paris was at the center of the art world and Legrand was counted among its elite and greatest artistic celebrities, along with Toulouse Lautrec, Manuel Robbe and Jules Cheret.  After studying with Felicien Rops, Legrand achieved great acclaim (1891) when his watercolors of music-hall dancers (can can) appeared in Gil Blas illustre. A year later, they were published in a suite of etchings; 'Cours de danse Fin-de-siecle'. In 1893, publisher Gustave Pellet published 'Les Petits du Ballet' and Legrand's fame spread throughout Europe. His drypoints of the ballet elevated him to one of the world's foremost drypoint artists.
Many of Legrand's prints show women, usually occupied, though sometimes languorously so, rehearsing or waiting to go on state, performing their toilette in private or in view of an admirer; in the cafes or bars adjusting their hats and wraps while male companions stand by. They eat, drink and smoke in public. In more domestic surroundings, they play with their pets and children. In those surroundings least domestic, they encourage clients to take their pleasure and pay for it.
Legrand preceded Lautrec and others in publishing works portraying the cancan dancers and the demi-mondaines of Montmartre. He achieved wide recognition during the most productive part of his career.
The celebrated art publisher Gustave Pellet, who also worked with Toulouse Lautrec and other significant late 19th century French artists, was Legrand’s publisher. Such was his importance that his stamp sometimes appeared in the margin of Legrand’s prints together with the artist’s signature
 

EPAVES DE FALILE - 1884
FAMILY FLOTSAM
Arwas.15 ( IV / V)

Etching with drypoint

This is a fourth state still with the 'remarques'
before the final state as published as a supplement in 'L'Artiste' July 1885.
Only a few impression from this fourth state were done.

The mask held by the old lady is a caricature of the 20-year-old Legrand

On a dense strong paper
21,40 by 15 cm on plate border.
50 by 31,50 cm for the sheet.

BRISEMENT A TERRE - 1892
BREAK ON THE GROUND
Arwas.62 ( I / III )

Etching with aqua-tint

From 'Cours de danse' A series of 11 etchings
published by Dentu in Paris in 1892.

This is a first state, before the signature of Legrand upper left in the middle scene in the second state and before the elimination of the Remarque as in the third state.

This is a rare state as only a few proofs where made from the two first states...

18 by 27 cm on plate border.
48 by 31 cm for the sheet.
 

BRISEMENT ASSIS AVEC PROFESSEUR- 1892
BREAK SEATED WITH INSTRUCTOR
Arwas.64

Etching with aqua-tint and dry-point

From 'Cours de danse' A series of 11 etchings
published by Dentu in Paris in 1892.

This is a first state, before the signature of Legrand upper right in the middle scene in the second state and before the elimination of the Remarque as in the third state.

This is a rare state as only a few proofs where made from the first and four proofs from the second state...

19 by 27,50 cm on plate border.
48 by 31 cm for the sheet.

LE SALUT MILITAIRE - 1892
THE MILITARY SALUTE
Arwas.72 ( I-II / II )

Etching with dry-point

Related to 'Cours de danse' A series of 11 etchings
published by Dentu in Paris in 1892.

This one was never part of the above series but was published after the publication by Dendu.

This is a rare etching. It does not have the Remarque but it is unclear to me if this is a state before the Remarque or after it  was wiped off.

23,50 by 14,20 cm on plate border.
42,50 by 28,50 cm for the sheet.

LE CHRIST - 2 May 1895
CHRIST
Arwas.98 ( IV / IV)

Etching with aqua-tint and dry-point

This is a self-portrait by the artist

On of 100 impressions on Japon
Numbered 87/100

With the red publishers stamp of Gustave Jean Baptiste Xavier Pellet (1859-1919) the famous Legrand publisher.

58,30 by 35,80 cm on plate border.
62 by 42 cm for the sheet.

FLORE ATIFICIELLE - 1896
ARTIFICIAL FLOWER
Arwas.133 ( IV-V / VI )

Etching with aqua-tint and dry-point

A women facing here mirror.

Again a very rare state. After some proofs including one with Remarque's the plate original 26 by 33,50 cm was reduced to 23,50 by 15 cm and the signature of Legrand was added bottom right. My state is a trial between the fourth and fifth state with the signature of Legrand added bottom left and with still a larger plate size of 26 by 16,80 cm. Legrand must have changed his mind and he reduced the plate further on the right and bottom side to come to the fifth state. The sixth state was added as a supplement to 'La Gazette des Beaux-Arts' in September 1896.

 26 by 16,80 cm cm on plate border.
47,50 by 32,50 for the sheet

LE CALVAIRE- ( Ca.1903 )
CALVARY
Arwas.203 ( IV / IV )

Etching with aqua-tint

On of 40 impressions on thin Japon
Numbered 2 / 40
With the red studio stamp of Louis Legrand .
Pencil signed in full: Louis Legrand
Pencil titled 'calvaire avant l'avierge'

35,50 by 55,20 cm on plate border.
42,50 by 64 cm for the sheet

LE BEDEAU DU MEE - 5 dec 1911
THE BEADLE OF THE MEE
Arwas.433 ( IV / IV )

Vernis Mou

A minor official of a parish, at Mee

A final state with title, date and Signature.

On of 70 impressions on velin.
Watermark in the laid paper:
A Swann and the words 'Pellet et Legrand'

36,30 by 26,80 cm on plate border.
44,50 by 31,50 cm for the sheet.

LE BEDEAU DU MEE - 5 dec 1911
THE BEADLE OF THE MEE
Arwas.433 ( IV / IV )

Vernis Mou

A minor official of a parish, at Mee

A final state with title, date and Signature.

On of 70 impressions on velum.
Watermark in the laid paper:
A Swann and the words 'Pellet et Legrand'

36,30 by 26,80 cm on plate border.
44,50 by 31,50 cm for the sheet.

LOUIS BARTHOU ASSIS
LOUIS BARTHOU SEATED ON A STOOL
Arwas.549 ( I )


Dry -point

Only state.

With a handwritten and signed dedication by Legrand .
It reads as ' A M. Bonnard'
Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) was a famous Printer and Painter in Paris.

A pencil note from later date on the backside speaks of a dedication to Brossard,'Literaire' situated angle 'Rue de Seine' et 'Rue des Arts'

A strong impression on quality velum paper.

17 by 12 cm on plate border. With tread margins.